Lawmakers propose $263M in new education spending

DENVER (AP) -- A bipartisan group of Colorado lawmakers are proposing $263 million more in funding for various education initiatives.

Legislative leaders announced Thursday that $80 million of those funds would go to districts to fill recession-era budget cuts that resulted in late-state days and other cutbacks. Other areas include $35 million would go to help English-language learners, $100 million for teacher evaluations, and $20 million for literacy programs.

A bill outlining the spending package will be introduced in the House soon. The spending plan is dependent on next month's state revenue forecast.

The money would come from the state's general fund and is in addition to the $258.4 million in new total program funding for K-12 education that is in Gov. John Hickenlooper's budget request.

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